Outnumbered South All-Stars Fall Short in Ventura County Game, 74-64

The South team in the Ventura County girls high school all-star basketball game had seven players, six bandage-free. Going against a team of 12, prospects looked bad for the South.

Fewer players meant they would have to overcome the numbers to win. It meant they would have no depth on the bench. It meant they knew they would play tired in the fourth quarter.

That they could overcome such obstacles was noble dreaming. And the dream didn’t come true.

The North, playing the numbers game to perfection, won, 74-64, on Friday night at Ventura High.

“Our girls just ran out of gas,” said South Coach Kevin Pasky of La Reina. “We knew going in we’d have only seven players, so we had to keep our attack to a half-court concept. We played with enthusiasm and desire. It just came down to numbers.”

For the South, Simi Valley High’s center, Wendy Morgan, played well inside. She scored only seven points but blocked five shots to help keep the South in the game.

But Morgan fouled out with 3:24 left to play, leaving her teammates to fend for themselves and allowing the North to close out the scoring with a 12-6 spurt.

The South was led by Royal’s Debra Rabin, who scored 20 points. Chris Cox of Simi Valley added 13. With a bandaged left leg, Michelle Brown of Royal managed 10 points.